One of the most spectacular all-diamond pieces of jewelry in
the Smithsonian Institution is the Napoleon necklace. Thought to have
originally been owned by Catherine the Great of Russia, it was presented by the
Emperor Napoleon of France to his second wife, Marie-Louise of Austria on the birth
of their son in 1811. The silver and gold set necklace contains172 diamonds
weighing 275 carats - 28 oval and cushion-cut diamonds, dangling 19
briolette-cut oval and pear shaped diamonds and accented by small, round
diamonds and diamond set motifs in a silver and gold setting. The diamonds are
cut in "old mine" style, the precursor to the modern brilliant cut,
and have a high degree of fire (flashes of color as the stone moves in light), but
less brilliance due to less light refraction through the top of the stone.
The necklace has an estimated total gem weight of 275
carats, and the largest single diamond on it weighs approximately 10 carats.
When Marie-Louise died in 1847, the necklace was given to her sister-in-law,
Archduchess Sophie of Austria, who removed two stones to shorten the necklace.
Earrings were made with the two removed stones, the whereabouts of which are
unknown.
In 1872, the necklace was bequeathed to the Archduchess'
son, Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria. In 1948, Archduke Ludwig's grandson,
Prince Franz Joseph of Liechtenstein, sold the necklace to a French collector
who then sold it to Harry Winston in 1960. Marjorie Merriweather Post obtained
the necklace from Winston and donated it to the Smithsonian Institution in
1962.
It’s difficult to value a piece like this in today’s market.
However, in 1993, the auction house Christie’s in Geneva sold another necklace
that Napoleon had given to Marie-Louise that was composed of rubies and
diamonds. This necklace sold for $13 million.
Empress Eugenie's Blue Heart Diamond Gothic Necklace
| List Price: | $105.00 |
| Price: | $99.95 + $10.00 shipping |
| You Save: | $5.05 (5%) |
Usually ships within 6 to 10 days.
- Made In England
- 5-10 Business Day Ship Time
- Premium Designed Product
- Made From Fine English Pewter
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